Contacts

• Aged care

  Australian Government Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
  www.agedcarequality.gov.au
  Through the commission, anyone can raise their concerns about the quality of care or services that are subsidised by the Australian Government.

  Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
  www.health.gov.au

  Centrelink – line for older Australians
  www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/financial-information-service; and www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/phone-us?context=26266#olderaustralians

  Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV)
  www.consumer.vic.gov.au

  Council on the Ageing Care Finders
  www.cotavic.org.au/our-programs/care-finder/
  Care Finders supports vulnerable older people who would not be able to arrange services without intensive support and who do not have a family member or friend who can help.

  Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV)
  www.disputes.vic.gov.au
  The DSCV deals with disputes in retirement villages between residents, and between a resident and an operator. It can be contacted via phone or via its online form. 

  Elder Rights Advocacy (ERA)
  www.era.asn.au
  ERA is a free service that provides advocacy for people receiving residential and home care programs sponsored by the Australian Government.

  My Aged Care
  www.myagedcare.gov.au
  My Aged Care is the starting point to access Australian Government funded aged-care services.

  Victorian Government Department of Health
  www.services.dffh.vic.gov.au/supported-accommodation

  Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
  www.humanrights.gov.au

  Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC)
  www.humanrights.vic.gov.au 

• Elder abuse

  Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV)
  www.seniorsrights.org.au
  This service is available for people aged 60 and over, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 45 and over.

  Elder Rights Advocacy (ERA)
  www.era.asn.au
  ERA is a free service that provides advocacy for people receiving residential and home care programs sponsored by the Australian Government.

• Family violence

  1800Respect
  www.1800respect.org.au

  The Orange Door
  www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au
  The Orange Door is a free service for people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence. There are several Orange Doors around Victoria. There is not a central phone number, but you can find the contact details of the Orange Door closest to you at www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/find-a-service-near-you.

  Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre
  www.safesteps.org.au

• Property disputes and housing

  Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG)
  www.oldertenants.org.au

  VCAT – Building and Property List
  www.vcat.vic.gov.au

• Family dispute resolution and mediation

  Better Place Australia
  www.betterplaceaustralia.com.au
  Better Place Australia also has offices in metropolitan and regional Victoria; see the website for the addresses.

  Better Place Australia Elder Abuse Prevention Services
  www.betterplaceaustralia.com.au/elder-abuse-prevention-services

  Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV)
  www.disputes.vic.gov.au
  The DSCV can be contacted via phone or its online form.

  Relationship Matters: Counselling and Mediation
  www.relationshipmatters.com.au
  Relationship Matters also has offices in Caulfield North, Frankston, Geelong, Hoppers Crossing, Moonee Ponds, Reservoir and Wangaratta.

  Relationships Australia (Victoria)
  www.relationshipsvictoria.com.au
  Relationships Australia also offers elder mediation and family dispute resolution at their offices in Ballarat, Berwick, Greensborough, Kew, Shepparton, Sunshine and Traralgon.

  Victoria Legal Aid Family Dispute Resolution Service
  www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/fdrs

• Legal advice

  Barwon Community Legal Service
  www.barwoncommunitylegal.org.au/barwon-elder-abuse-primary-prevention-network/
  For residents of the Bellarine Peninsula, Colac Otway Councils, Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast.

  Eastern Community Legal Centre
  www.eclc.org.au/what-we-do/partnerships-and-projects/elder-abuse
  For residents of the Boroondara, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges Councils.

  Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria
  www.fclc.org.au/find_a_community_legal_centre
  Use the website to find a community legal centre near you.

  Justice Connect
  www.justiceconnect.org.au 

  Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV)
  www.seniorsrights.org.au

  Victoria Legal Aid (VLA)
  www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
  VLA has offices throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria; see VLA’s website for addresses.

  Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) Find a Lawyer Legal Referral Service
  www.liv.asn.au/find-a-lawyer
  LIV’s Find a Lawyer Legal Referral Service is a useful way of finding a lawyer with appropriate specialisation.

• Powers of attorney

  Office of the Public Advocate
  www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au

  State Trustees
  www.statetrustees.com.au
  State Trustees also has offices in Bendigo, Dandenong and Footscray.

  Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) – Guardianship and Administration List
  www.vcat.vic.gov.au
  VCAT hears matters throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria; see VCAT’s website for addresses. 

Contacts

Chapter: 9.2: Legal issues affecting older people

Contributor: Avital Kamil, Principal Lawyer; Julia Jeffries, Managing Lawyer; Andelka Obradovic, Senior Lawyer; Luke Shein, Lawyer; Seniors Rights Victoria; Leonie Dubbelman, Lawyer, Seniors Rights Victoria

Current as of: 1 September 2024

Law Handbook Page: 803

Next Section: 9.3: Wills